Page 1 of 4: Some Basics

The roof of Gaudi's Casa Batllň

The Easyjet flights (out from Gatwick, back to Stansted) were fine as flights (not least because there was a minor TV celebrity to boggle at on the plane), but the queue for security at Gatwick was enormous - at least 45 minutes to get through.

The flat was in Poblenou, to the east of the Vila Olimpica. Ths pleasant neighbourhood is clearly gentrifying from an industrial past, with a cominbation of car repair and other small workshops interspersed with new residential developments, and plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants. I found a pleasant enough local restaurant for my evening meals.

Public transport is excellent and cheap, expecially if you buy a T-10 card (for ten journeys). But be aware that if you get a bus after midnight, you will officially be travelling on a Nitbus.

Internet access is widely available, but don't look for cafés. What you need is a "locutorio", a little shop offering telephone, fax and photocopying. They seem to be all over the place. The one nearest the flat only charged one euro for an hour.